Sam Dale Lake Hunter Fact Sheet

2012 - 2013 Season

MAP

LOCATION: 1 ½ miles west of Johnsonville and ½ mile north of Ext. 161 in northwest Wayne County.

DESCRIPTION: The area encompasses 1,302 acres of which 800 acres are huntable. The 1,302 acre area is composed of 330 acres of cropland and food plots, 47 acres of grasslands, 630 acres of woodlands, and 204 acres of wetlands and a lake. The diversity and distribution of habitat types provides for an excellent area for wildlife.

AVAILABLE GAME SPECIES: Dove, Deer, Squirrel, Turkey, Quail, Rabbit, Waterfowl and Furbearer

The area provides excellent deer (bowhunting only) and turkey (spring - gun & fall - bow) hunting. Managed sunflower fields provide good opportunity each year to hunt doves. Upland hunters are encouraged to use dogs due to the heavy cover. Squirrel hunting can be excellent due to the large tracts of mature oak and hickory timber.

OTHER FACILITIES AVAILABLE: Camping (electricity, water, and dump station); Picnic Areas; Fishing and Boating; Hiking Trails; Equestrian Trails and Restaurant.

AREA REGULATIONS:

  1. Hunting is restricted to those portions of the are posted as open to hunting. Restricted areas are clearly marked by signs.
  2. Hunters must park in designated parking areas only.
  3. All persons hunting squirrel, rabbit, quail, and dove must check in and check out and report their days harvest.
  4. Archery deer/turkey hunters and furbearer trappers can pick up a site permit valid for the entire season from the office. Permit must be displayed in the windshield while hunting or trapping. All hunters must report harvest within 24 hours. All hunters and trappers with windshield cards must return cards and report hours hunted and harvest by February 15. Windshield cards can be obtained online for Deer Archery, Turkey Fall Archery, Squirrel, Dove, Rabbit and Quail. 
  5. All hunting to be with shotgun or bow and arrow only.
  6. All upland hunting is from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and hunters are required to wear blaze orange hat and vest. All upland hunters must check in and check out.
  7. Archery deer and turkey hunters must wear blaze orange during the firearm deer seasons.
  8. Dove hunting will start on Sept. 1 and end on Sept. 30. All hunters must check in and check out. Hunting hours will be from noon to 5:00.pm. A drawing will be held at 11:00 a.m. if more hunters show up than can be accommodated.
  9. Spring turkey hunters must apply for site specific permit through statewide lottery. Successful applicants will be mailed a windshield card that must be returned at the end to the season.
  10. Park will be open for Late Winter Deer Hunting with Site Specific Permit only.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Site Superintendent, Sam Dale Lake, R.R. # 1, Box 101 , Johnsonville, IL 62850, Phone 618/835-2292 or District Wildlife Biologist, 6924 Omega Road, Kinmundy,IL 62854 : Phone:, 618/283-3070

Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and those funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies is available to all individuals regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion or other non-merit factors. If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact the funding source civil rights office and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, IDNR, 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; 217/785-0067; TTY 217/782-9175.